Reader-Approved Tips for Vacation Plant Care, Preventing Wood Splitting, and More!

Welcome to another roundup of fantastic tips from our resourceful readers. This week, we’re tackling everything from keeping your plants alive while you’re on vacation to the age-old debate of store brands versus name brands. These tips prove that a little creativity and know-how can go a long way in saving time, money, and effort. Let’s dive in and see what clever ideas our readers have shared to make life a little easier.

Once again, I’m reminded how small, intentional choices can lead to significant savings and make daily tasks simpler. I hope these tips inspire you as much as they have me.

Contents

• Vacation Plant Care Tips
• Store Brand vs. Name Brand
• Freeze Cheese for Easy Grating
• Prevent Wood Splitting
• Homemade Yogurt Recipe
• DIY Sprinkler Stand

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Vacation Plant Care Tips

“Before taking off for your summer vacation, thoroughly soak and feed your houseplants then cluster them together in an empty bathtub or child’s swimming pool. Set in a sunny location or provide your plants with artificial lighting while you are away. Cover them completely with a lightweight tent of clear plastic and tightly seal it with tape on all sides. No more water necessary. This will work for up to two weeks.”

–Lara P., Georgia

 

Thank you, Lara, for sharing these smart vacation plant care tips. Ensuring your plants stay hydrated while you’re away can be tricky, but these methods make it much easier. I particularly love the idea of using the bathtub for larger plants—talk about a simple yet effective solution. Your advice will undoubtedly save many a plant from becoming a dried-out mess while their owners enjoy a well-deserved break.

Speaking of great plant care tips, I also received a gem from EC Reader Sophia on how she keeps her plants hydrated with a clever, low-cost method while she’s away.

When she goes on vacation, she fills bottles with water and pushes them upside down into her plants—houseplants and outdoor plants alike.

Sophia’s plant nanny tip has been a game-changer for me—not just during vacations, but year-round! I’ve made it a habit to fill bottles every few days, alongside my regular watering routine. As you can see from the photo above, this $12 Walmart plant bowl was struggling when I got it back in May, but thanks to consistent watering, it’s thriving now—even in the intense Colorado sun!

• MORE: Going on Vacation? Make Your Own Plant Nanny Plus More Great Reader Tips

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Store Brand vs. Name Brand

“Some generic items are awful, and others are exactly the same product as the alternative to the name brand. Do some experimenting, especially if your store offers ‘satisfaction guaranteed.’ If you don’t like it, the store will let you exchange it or may give you your money back.”

–Bette J., Nevada

 

Thank you, Bette, for diving into the ongoing store brand vs. name brand debate. Your tip is a great reminder that we don’t always need to pay a premium for quality. In fact, many store brands offer the same ingredients and performance as their pricier name-brand counterparts. Switching is a simple way to keep more money in your pocket while still enjoying top-notch products.

If you’re wondering where to start, consider testing out store brands for everyday staples like pasta, canned goods, and dairy products. You might find they meet or even exceed your expectations—at a fraction of the cost.

For a deeper dive into the topic, check out my article 6 Winners in the Generic vs. Name-Brand Competition where I break down which generic products truly hold their own against their name-brand counterparts. You’ll be surprised at how much you can save without compromising on quality.

• MORE: Three Generic Cleaners Same as Brand Names but Cheaper

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Freeze Cheese for Easy Grating

“If you freeze a block of cheese, then thaw it, it will crumble. You don’t have to grate it.”

–Tanley M., email

 

Thank you, Tanley, for sharing this clever kitchen hack! Freezing cheese before grating is a brilliant way to make those soft, tricky-to-handle cheeses much easier to work with. Not only does it save time, but it also turns a potentially frustrating task into a breeze.

For anyone looking to simplify their kitchen prep even more, consider using a high-quality box grater or a food processor with a grating attachment. These tools make grating even large amounts of cheese quick and effortless.

As an added tip, keep in mind that while hard cheese freezes well, it does tend to crumble once thawed, making it challenging to slice. However, this texture change is perfect for grating.

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Prevent Wood Splitting

“To prevent moulding from splitting my father taught me to place the nails head down on a solid surface and then tap the point of the nail. This blunts the point and the nail cuts through the wood rather than splitting it. This method works well on moulding made from woods that have a pronounced grain such as fir, which is prone to splitting.”

–Dave. R., Florida

 

Thank you, Dave, for sharing this valuable woodworking tip! Splitting wood, especially with delicate moulding, can be a frustrating challenge, but your method of blunting the nail point is a clever solution. By allowing the nail to cut through the wood instead of forcing its way in, you’re reducing the risk of splits and ensuring a cleaner finish.

In addition to blunting the nail, consider lubricating the nail head with paraffin wax, linseed oil, or even vegetable oil when you’re in a pinch. This extra step makes driving the nail easier and further minimizes the risk of splitting. For larger projects or particularly stubborn woods, drilling pilot holes that match the screw’s shank diameter is essential. This simple preparation can make a big difference in preserving the integrity of your wood.

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Homemade Yogurt Recipe

“My kids love yogurt so I make my own. Boil 1/2 gallon milk and allow it to sit in a cool place. When lukewarm, add 1 tablespoon Dannon plain yogurt, stir and cover. Let it sit on top of the stove overnight. It will be ready the following day. This will be sugar-free. You can add fruit, honey or granola to sweeten.”

–Aruna S., Illinois

 

Thank you, Aruna, for sharing this simple and budget-friendly yogurt recipe. Homemade yogurt is a fantastic way to enjoy a fresh, healthy snack without the added sugars and preservatives found in many store-bought varieties. Plus, it’s a fun kitchen project that yields delicious results.

For those who want to take their homemade yogurt to the next level, consider adding fresh fruit, honey, or granola for extra flavor and texture. Or if you’re in a savory mood, use that homemade yogurt to prepare some creamy salad dressings. And don’t forget—making yogurt at home means you can control the thickness and tanginess to your liking.

• MORE: 17 Quick and Easy Recipes Homemade Salad Dressing From Scratch

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DIY Sprinkler Stand

“Turn your spade into an extra pair of hands. Whenever you need to direct a flow of water onto a portion of your garden, simply stick the spade into the soil and nestle your hose into the V-shaped notch where the handle begins.”

–Naomi D., Nebraska

 

Thank you, Naomi, for sharing this clever DIY sprinkler stand idea! I love the simplicity of turning a spade into an extra pair of hands—it’s a perfect way to make the most of your tools. This method not only frees up your hands for other tasks, but it also ensures that your garden gets a thorough watering without needing to constantly adjust the hose.

I’m excited to try this out myself. It seems like a great way to multitask, letting me tackle some weeding or other garden chores while keeping the rest of my garden hydrated. It’s such an efficient way to work smarter, not harder.

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Share Your Best Tips with Us!

Do you have a brilliant time-saving, money-saving, or DIY tip? We’d love to hear from you! Send your tip to mailbag@everydaycheapskate.com with the subject line “Reader Tip Submission.” Please include a clear description of your tip along with any important details. Don’t forget to include your first name, last initial (or a preferred nickname), and your location (state, province, or country). For example: –Mary H., Colorado “Cheapskate”

Be sure your tip is detailed and well-thought-out for clarity. While we can’t guarantee personal responses due to high email volume, selected tips may be edited for length and clarity. If your tip is featured, you’ll be recognized in a special post on our website or in the EC Daily Newsletter, complete with your first name, last initial or nickname, and location. Keep an eye out!

Note: By submitting, you grant exclusive rights to use your tip. All submitted tips become the property of Mary Hunt and may be used or reproduced in any form. We do not respond to comments unrelated to the post content.

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